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Job Posting: Yaha Tinda

AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY: We seek an intern to participate in the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program (http://www.ec.gc.ca/sci_hor/). The successful intern will assist in investigating the decline of the partially-migratory Ya Ha Tinda elk herd in and adjacent to Banff National Park (see http://yahatinda.biology.ualberta.ca/ for more information).

The next phase of our long-term research is to understand cause-specific mortality for elk calves as a result of maternal behavioural trade-offs made in terms of foraging and predation risk (wolves, bears, mountain lions and coyotes). The intern will use radio telemetry to monitor adult females for parturition behavior, assist in capture and tagging of elk calves, subsequently monitor both calves and adults, and complete a final report. The position will also include, but is not limited to, investigating elk calf mortality sites, behavioural observations, vegetation sampling, pellet plot surveys, remote camera surveys, and predator scat surveys using scat detection dogs.

The study area straddles the boundary between Banff National Park and provincial land, in and around the beautiful Ya Ha Tinda ranch, Parks Canada’s working horse ranch, west of Sundre, AB. AT THE RANCH, THERE IS NO CELL PHONE SERVICE AND ONLY LIMITED INTERNET. THE CLOSEST TOWN (Sundre) IS 1.5 HOURS AWAY. The position available is a 6-month Science Horizons Youth Internship (http://www.ec.gc.ca/sci_hor/) that will pay ~$2850/mo. including benefits. A shared room in the research house will be provided.

Applicants MUST meet the following qualifications. Preference will be given towards applicants who can demonstrate substantial knowledge/experience with plant identification and sampling:

The intern cannot be over 30 years old.

The intern must be a graduate of a post-secondary institution.

The intern must be a Canadian Citizen, have permanent Canadian residency status, or have been granted refugee status in Canada and legally entitled to work in Canada.

The intern cannot have participated as an intern in Science Horizons or any other Youth Employment Strategy (YES) Career Focus program before.

The intern must possess a valid, non-graduated Class 5 Canadian driver’s license.

Physically able to carry a heavy daypack while hiking 8-10 hrs. in mountainous terrain and grizzly bear country, even in inclement weather and colder temperatures.

Flexibility; ability to maintain a positive attitude while working and living closely with co-workers; ability to work long hours and odd schedules.

Hiring decisions will be made immediately. Please email Jodi Berg at jberg@ualberta.ca:

1) A cover letter that explicitly addresses EACH of the following:

why you are interested in working on the YHT Elk Project

how you meet EACH of the qualifications listed above

2) Your resume/CV

3) Phone numbers AND email addresses for three references that can speak to your ability to conduct yourself in the field and work as part of a team